Reacting sharply to the increase in RTC bus fares that came into effect from Friday midnight, those who depend on the mode of transport expressed ire at the government and said that it was high time the government kept the interests of the common man in mind before taking such a decision.
With spiralling inflation making it tough for the middle income groups to survive, the working class expressed concern over the pittance paid to them in the form of salaries.
“After the steep hike in the price of toor dal, now we have to bear with the increased bus fares. This is totally unfair as the survival for the common man gets tough with each passing day,” says P. Chandana Lakshmi, a teacher.
For N. Venkat, a sales executive, the increase in the bus fare turned out to be a big blow. “I have to frequently travel to places like Tuni, Anakapalle, and Narasannapeta to meet my marketing targets. Since bus is a convenient mode of transport for me, increase in the fares is sure to burn a bigger hole in my pocket,” he worries.
Those who have bus passes say that it was of little use to them. “Many bus drivers skip the bus stops when they see youngsters waiting to board the bus.
This is basically because they knew too well that most students will have a bus pass. Unless this trend changes, there is no use of rates remaining unchanged for those having a bus pass,” says Y. Nagamani, a student residing in Simhachalam.
